Today I'm sharing the printables for the halloween and Christmas crafts from my visit to Fellowes in Doncaster last week. But before we get to those, don't you think pom poms raise your spirits in much the same way that bunting does? I mean, anything adorned with pom poms (or bunting) has to be good doesn't it?

Exactly, so imagine how pleasing it was to be presented with this sight on arrival. And even better, soon after there was a great cup of tea and some pretty fantastic cakes. And of course the crafting and good company.

If you don't know much about Fellowes, they're celebrating a 100 years this year and the Banker's Boxes originated with them. They often provide the original kind for film sets and such like. But they also have a huge range of office equipment, and our tool of choice for the day was the laminator.

And what a clever thing it is. Addictive too, I found myself looking around the room for more things to laminate, and I've some ideas to try over the coming weeks, but first onto those printables.

Halloween Bunting

You can download the printables to make your own Halloween Bunting from the Fellowes Ideas Centre.

First up was the Halloween bunting, with hardly very scary ghosts, black cats, pumpkins, a magic tree (not the magic money tree sort sadly), bats and a witches hat to choose from. The ghosts threaded onto twine against a black wall looked super effective, and you can choose which motifs you opt for.

The big debate, is of course whether to cut out first and then laminate, or to laminate and cut out after. If you want to use your bunting outside then cut out first as the laminator will seal the edges and keep them watertight for longer. If you're limited on the number of pouches you have then cut out first to make effective use of your pouch space, or laminate the whole sheet and cut out afterwards. As a novice laminator that's the approach I took, but either way works.

I was drawn to the cats - no surprises there - and as I was cutting out my second one, inspiration struck and I went a bit off piste, and aided and abetted by Maggie from Red Ted Art who was leading the crafting session, quickly created a 3D pumpkin. It is really cute - it's about hand-size - so will be a good addition to any halloween decorations, or table setting.

While we're not big Halloween celebraters here, I think this technique is one I'll use again.

Geometric Christmas baubles

You can download the printables to colour your own geometric Christmas baubles from the Fellowes Ideas Centre.

These were my favourite item of the day. Armed with brightly coloured felt pens I set about creating bold geometric patterns and once again experienced how mindful colouring, crafting and chatting can be. You'll notice I've coloured over the lines, and that's on purpose, and so my colour will be up to the line I cut, which meant my cutting didn't have to be quite so precise. There is method to my madness (at times).

colouring in christmas baubles - and yes I went over the lines on purpose

In fact I enjoyed creating these so much I pulled out another sheet and created a second colourway, and once they were together they all seemed to just 'go'

geometric baubles ready for my Christmas tree

I've punched a hole in the "bauble top" and threaded twine through that so they're easy to hang. These might end up on our tree, or if I make several more I may just have another use for them. But Christmas is months away yet (and yes I know it'll be here before I know it) but even so I'm going to ponder my creativity some more, and hopefully find time to pull out my felt tips at least once more. And if that creative idea takes shape you can be sure to read about it here.

If these aren't the crafts for you do head over to the Fellowes Ideas Centre, as they've some fab ideas there and whether you're coming at these from a mindful perspective or a rainy day activity for the kids, I'm sure you'll find something there to spark your inspiration.

This is a collaborative post, but all views and opinions, cutting out and colouring in are my own.